30-year old Ryan Ludwick just needed a chance to show what he could do and the Cardinals really gave it to him this season. Ludwick has played in 112 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 120 for 392 (.306 avg, .991 OPS) with 79 runs scored, 29 homers, 87 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He made the All-Star team in his first season as a major league starting player which is saying something. Ludwick has now played in 232 games in his two years with the Cardinals and he is 201 for 695 (.289 avg) with 121 runs scored, 43 homers, 139 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Those are really eye popping numbers that Ludwick has put up for the Cardinals. Prior to coming to the Cardinals last season, Ludwick had played 4 years in the majors appearing in only 104 games in which he was 79 for 334 (.237 avg) with 38 runs scored, 14 homers, 44 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Don’t look for Ludwick to slow down any time soon as he is running with his big opportunity that the Cardinals have given him.